Mark 10:19
Thou knowest the Commandements, Doe not commit adulterie, Doe not kill, Doe not steale, Doe not beare false witnesse, Defraud not, Honour thy father, and mother. Mark 10:19 (KJV)
In this passage Jesus is speaking to a rich young ruler who has come to Him asking, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17‑22). Jesus points the young man to the commandments as the standard of righteousness that God requires of His people.
The commandments listed are drawn from the Old Testament law. “Do not commit adultery” forbids sexual infidelity and calls believers to faithfulness and purity of heart within marriage. “Do not kill” prohibits the intentional taking of another’s life, affirming the sanctity and value of every human being. “Do not steal” bans taking another’s property without permission, teaching honesty, integrity, and respect for others’ possessions. “Do not bear false witness” warns against lying or giving false testimony, emphasizing truthfulness in speech and action. “Defraud not” urges fair and honest dealings, warning against exploitation or taking advantage of others for personal gain, a principle echoed in Leviticus 19:13. Finally, “Honour thy father and mother” stresses the importance of respecting and caring for one’s parents, extending to the broader responsibility to value family relationships.
Jesus used these commandments to expose the ruler’s deeper problem. Although the young man claimed to have kept them since his youth, Jesus saw that his attachment to wealth prevented true obedience. He challenged the ruler to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him (Mark 10:21), revealing that love for material security can hinder wholehearted discipleship.
The application of this verse is clear: God’s moral standards call for more than external compliance. Believers are invited to let the commandments shape the heart, producing integrity in relationships, reverence for life, honesty in words, and respect for parents. Moreover, Christians are called to avoid any form of fraud or exploitation and to be willing to relinquish anything that stands in the way of fully following Jesus. Living by these principles reflects a transformed heart that loves God and loves others.
